Welcome
to the Center of Competence "Aesthetic Strategies ((audio))"
for the Departments of Music and Digital Media/Cultural Informatics (DMK)
at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Research Topics, Conception and Objectives
Involved partners in the interdisciplinary subject of "Aesthetic Strategies ((audio))" are the academic Departments
- culture and technology
- integration of media, interfaces, surfaces
- sampling, program control
In addition to the resources of the center of computing and media the project provides an electronic studio (audioLab) that can be used by project members as well as by students and regional initiatives. An intensive dialogue about theoretical and practical fields within the scope of “audio“ in the new media is held with various institutions and individuals in the setting of seminars, tutorials and work groups.
Activity Report 2001 to 2008
A presentation of the various objects and work fields of the project "Aesthetic Strategies ((audio))".
Activity Report (english, PDF, 400 KB)
Literature
The tip of the iceberg: Laptop music and the information-technological transformation of music
In: Organised Sound 13(1): 5–11
Copyright 2008 Cambridge University Press
Objectives
The overarching objective is a progressive mastery of the methods and practices in the range of digital media production as well as the critical reflection and theoretical understanding of media-cultural change. Work groups and tutorials complement the seminars dealing with this thematic focus. Workshops over one or two days involving nonresident artists and musicians also address external audiences from universities, cultural organisations and commercial music production companies. The audioLab as a high-end production site and the computing and media centers ’work room for digital audio’ (in cooperation with the Department of Music) constitute the equipment centers for research and advisory services. Issues that are handled in practice are:
- working techniques and methods
- basic configuration of MIDI and audio workplaces
- MIDI and audio standards
- periphery control and programming
- video synchronisation
- inter- and intranet: HTML-integration of MIDI and audio files
- preparation and design of materials
- digitalization and editing of audio material
- sample editing, cutting and looping
- sequencing
- effects
- signal processing, mastering
Communication and Cooperation
An emphasis lies on the continuing update of contents and methods. The acquisition of knowledge and contexts for practice has changed fundamentally as a result of increasing speed of innovation regarding hard- and software, of rationalizing and optimizing processes and of the Aesthetic development.
Academic teaching can not exclusively rely on the instruction of a static canon of proficiencies, it has to organize communication processes with reference to local expertise and innovation ability. According to our experience, crucial elements of the contents and methods are based on inside knowledge that can only be acquired in the setting of professional conferences or festivals and in practice (broadcasting corporations, producing enterprises, artists/musicians from the popular and the art-music domain) and have to be transferred into research and teachings. The regional integration is supported through the opening of the audioLab for audiences from the area.
A communication sphere for the usage of digital audio and AV-media has been created with the participation of musicians (e.g. from the regional techno and house scene), artists and multimedia producers. Devices from the audioLab are furthermore employed internally for live performances and workshops within the framework of cooperations by invited musicians and artists. Mobile components are available.
During the founding phase (01.10.1997 – 31.12.2000) the project received grants from the Ministry for Science and Culture, Lower Saxony, within the scope of HSP III. A final report on this phase has been issued in 2001.
English Information